Doctor insights on:
Sleep Position After Neck Surgery

1

Sleeping & sitting:
It depends on the timing after surgery. Also the type of surgical approach that was used. If you are at least 6 weeks out from surgery you should be able to sit or sleep in any position that you desire. If you are in the immediate post op period, that is less than 6 weeks, these positions would be determined by the surgical approach. You should talk with your surgeon to determine the approach.
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Sleep is a topic that involves concepts such as how long it takes to fall asleep, how many times one wakes up at night, how many hours one sleeps at night, sleep stages, dream sleep, snoring, etc
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4

Breast biopsy:
Place a pillow under your left side, which will assist in going to sleep, but you may wake several times since movement in sleep will cause pressure on the biopsy site. The pain is not harmful, but you may have several nights will little sleep. Ask your surgeon for some pain medications, which will help in the short run.
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5

Back or side:
It depends on the location of the tumor, but usually awake craniotomies are performed with patient on their back and a roll under one shoulder to slightly turn you to the side. Ultimately, they are in between their back and side.
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8

Probably not:
If you had a bankart repair and did well for 6 months and started having neck painrunning down your left arm, it is more likely coming from a "pinched nerve" in your neck. Bankart repairs are done primarily for instability, so if you have not developed recurrent instability, it is probably not your shoulder, also shoulder problems do not typically cause pain running down the arm. Be seen!
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9

On back with pillows:
As you have had both surgeries, it makes it a tough rehab for you but my advice in this situation would be to lie on your back & buy a set of soft pillows that you can place above and below your bottom to help keep the bottom lifted slightly so as to allow you to have decreased pressure pain.Take your anti-inflammatory, pain meds & a muscle relaxants as buttocks stay sore longer than the breasts.
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10

This would need:
This would need to be personally evaluated. Both sides of your teeth should contact. I'm not sure exactly what you started with, what was done, and what your current occlusion pattern is now. Therefore I can't give you an accurate answer to your question. You should be evaluated by a team- General Dentist, Orthodontist and Oral Surgeon as to your progress and future treatment.
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11

Yes, fairly normal:
This is most likely from edema related to the surgery. The edema and injury from the surgery to the area just below your quads can cause significant edema and actual short term structural changes leading to some discomfort. Give it about two weeks and discuss with your ortho if it does not improve. Hope that helps!
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12

Anything Comfortable:
You should just listen to your body and sleep in a comfortable position. Your doc and/or physical therapist may have some more specific suggestions depending on the specifics of your injury but comfort is a good guide. (most will find laying on their back with their arm resting on a pillow. Some, who cannot sleep on their back, find using a recliner and pillow to work well.).
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13

Not possible:
Oftentimes, you may find yourself clenching and grinding your teeth in the middle of the night; this is not unusual. However, braces are preventing your teeth and bite from shifting.
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15

Traction neuritis :
I f your surgery was relatively recent (within 6 months) it should be considered a normal part of post op healing. When you yawn there is enormous stretch and strong contractions of various neck muscles that don't get this range of motion except when yawning. If you try yawning more frequently the scar tissue at the surgery site will loosen over time leading to less pull on the nerves causing pain.
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16

Helps guide surgeons:
There are some neurosurgical procedures where an awake patient helps surgeons avoid vital structures that could affect speech/language or other functions which otherwise may become impaired if the patient were not awake. I'm sure a neurosurgical colleague or 2 would like to chime in on this interesting question and give more detailed feedback. Pain is hopefully controlled afterward with medication
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17

Yes at about 90 deg-:
Rees, as that is most easily the comfortable position in use by majority of us. One can get to bend ; extend easily from there, as one exercises to get full rom back once advised by your surgeon, after healing is completed.
Do what you are advised!
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19

Yes:
Type of surgical procedure depends on the reason for the development of swan neck deformity. Common causes are rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and congenital deformity. Each is approached differently you need to see a hand surgeon for evaluation.
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